[Federal Register: October 19, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 203)]
[Notices]
[Page 53221-53222]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19oc01-76]
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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites
the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity
to comment on proposed revised information collections. In accordance
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)),
this notice seeks comments concerning the collection requirements for
participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community
Rating System (CRS).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The NFIP began in 1968. A central element in the NFIP is the
promotion and implementation of a sound local floodplain management
program. Communities must adopt minimum floodplain management standards
in order to participate in the NFIP and receive the benefits of flood
insurance. The Community Rating System (CRS) was designed by FEMA to
encourage, through the use of flood insurance premium discounts,
communities and states to undertake activities that will mitigate
flooding and flood damage, beyond the minimum standards for NFIP
participation. The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 codified
the CRS.
The NFIP/CRS Coordinator's Manual includes a Schedule and
Commentary. The Application Worksheets and CRS Application are
published separately. Communities will use the manuals to apply for
activity points leading up to a CRS rating and commensurate flood
insurance premium discounts. The Schedule describes the floodplain
management and insurance activities available to qualifying communities
that undertake the selected additional activities that will reduce
flood losses. To apply, communities submit to FEMA the attached
application worksheets and requisite documentation. Once approved, the
applications are reviewed and field verified by Insurance Service
Organization (ISO), Inc., an insurance industry service organization
with varied experience, especially with community fire rating.
Collection of Information
Title: Community Rating System (CRS) Program--Application Policy,
Instructions, and Worksheets.
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved
collection.
OMB Number: 3067-0195.
Document Numbers: FEMA FIA 15 and 15A.
Abstract: The CRS Program establishes a system for FEMA to grade
communities' floodplain management activities to determine flood
insurance rates for communities. Communities exercising floodplain
management activities that exceed Federal minimum standards qualify for
lower insurance rates.
The January 1999 edition of the NFIP CRS Coordinator's Manual
contains instructions for preparing the application worksheets that
were used to apply to the CRS Program for the 1999 through 2001
calendar years. We are coordinating with the public the draft January
2002 edition for comments on the collections of information and all
approved comments will be incorporated into the final January 2002
manual, to be effective January 2002-December 2004. The Application
Worksheets and CRS Application are published separately. Communities
will use the manuals to apply for activity points leading up to a CRS
rating and commensurate flood insurance premium discounts. The Schedule
describes the floodplain management and insurance activities available
to qualifying communities that undertake the selected additional
activities that will reduce flood losses. Annually, all CRS
participating communities must certify they are maintaining the
activities for which they receive credit.
Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Government.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours. 9,260.
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Number of Annual burden
Application worksheets respondents Frequency Hours per hours (A x
(A) response (B) response (C) B x C)
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New, Modified and Cycle Applications............ 220 1 29 6,380
Recertification Applications.................... 720 1 4 2,880
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Total....................................... 940 .............. .............. 9,260
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Comments: Written comments are solicited to (a) evaluate whether
the proposed data collection is necessary for the proper performance of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(d) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who
are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
[[Page 53222]]
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses. Comments should be received within 60 days of
the date of this notice.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons should submit written comments to Muriel
B. Anderson, Chief, Records Management Section, Program Services and
Systems Branch, Facilities Management and Services Division,
Administration and Resource Planning Directorate, Federal Emergency
Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Room 316, Washington, DC 20472.
Telephone number (202) 646-2625. FAX number (202) 646-3524 or e:mail
muriel.anderson@fema.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Bret Gates, CRS Coordinator,
Federal Insurance & Mitigation Administration, Federal Emergency
Management Agency, at (202) 646-4133, or by e:mail at
bret.gates@fema.gov for additional information. Contact Ms. Anderson at
(202) 646-2625 for copies of the proposed collection of information.
Dated: October 11, 2001.
Reginald Trujillo,
Director, Program Services Division, Operations Support Directorate.
[FR Doc. 01-26431 Filed 10-18-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-01-P